Things to Do in Yellowstone

Visiting Yellowstone is an unforgettable experience. Despite its vast size—more than 2 million acres—Yellowstone is easily accessible if you book a hotel in Gardiner Montana or a Cody, Wyoming hotel. And with so many things to do in Yellowstone, you'll have a hard time squeezing everything into just a single visit.

Take a Hike

If you travel to Yellowstone on a road trip, you'll enjoy the opportunities to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful scenery. Choose from among more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone, ranging from easy strolls through the woods to grueling backcountry treks. The 0.6-mile  Pelican Creek Trail  is a great starting point, with easy terrain that meanders through a shady forest and along a quiet lakeshore. The 6-mile Purple Mountain Trail offers more of a challenge, with a steep climb that leads to panoramic views of the Gibbon and Madison rivers. If you don't want to go out on your own, ranger-led hikes are available throughout the year.

Go Fishing

The landscape of Yellowstone is dotted with crystal-clear lakes and crisscrossed by rivers and streams. It's an angler's paradise, and you can catch 16 different species of fish in the area, including arctic grayling and cutthroat trout. Spring is the best time to go fly-fishing for trout, but there's great fishing to be had in summer and fall as well. Be sure to get a current fishing license from whichever state you're in—parts of Yellowstone National Park extend into Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

See the Wildlife

The Yellowstone ecosystem is complex and diverse. Each one of the countless species that live in the region is essential to the system as a whole, from wolves and grizzly bears right down to salamanders and frogs. Yellowstone is home to 300 species of birds alone. It's a great place for wildlife watching and nature photography, so be sure to bring your camera and a pair of binoculars. You might spot bison and elk grazing on the prairie, or bald eagles circling overhead. Just remember to maintain a safe and respectful distance from wild animals at all times.

Explore the Geysers

Viewing the hydrothermal features is one of the most quintessential Yellowstone things to do, and you don't want to leave without checking out Old Faithful, Great Fountain Geyser and many of the other 500-plus geysers scattered across the landscape. There are also tons of less famous—and less crowded—features, including bubbling mud pits, hot springs and steam vents. Pick up a map at one of the park's visitor centers to help guide your way.